RE, Burmese spies slip past ASIO (r)

Democratic Voice of Burma(SYDNEY)
Burmese spies slip past ASIO
By CHARLES MIRANDA
AUSTRALIAN intelligence agents are tracking down spies from Burma's
ruling regime who are slipping into the country posing as businessmen
and students.
The alleged State Law and Order Restoration Council agents are
using non-military passports and entering via countries such as
Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
But they are also getting visas through "locally engaged staff " at
the Australian embassy in Rangoon.
It has been confirmed the embassy's visa operations and claims of
bribes have been investigated a number of times by Immigration and
Foreign Affair personnel.
But none of the allegations could be substantiated.
ASIO is aware of some of the entries and has called on Burmese
communities in Sydney and Melbourne for help.
Local Burmese said a former military intelligence chief had visited
Australia in the past six months to allegedly launder money through
a Buddhist center.
He said there were also young intelligence officers studying in
universities in NSW, WA, and New Zealand. A spokesman from the
Immigration Department said the Federal Government did not have any
restriction on SLORC members entering but reviewed visa application on
merit.
The spokesman said the department, on advice from ASIO, the AFP or
Interpol, would take into account an application from a "character of
concern".
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
January 6, 1997